Two female characters—who are, in fact, one and the same person—struggle with themselves and with the legacy of the Ring. Caught between memory, identity, and artistic vocation, they embody an intense music theatre work about the stage as the true arena of life.

Composer Bernhard Lang and librettist Michael Sturminger unveil their new work “Brünnhilde brennt”, which will have its concert premiere on 3 August 2026 at the Friedrichsforum Bayreuth as a co-production with Oper Dortmund. The performance will be conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer. The central role of Hermine, the opera singer who embodies Brünnhilde, will be performed by the internationally acclaimed Wagner soprano Catherine Foster.

This exceptional performance is made possible through the commitment of all participating artists and the generous support of the Society of Friends of Bayreuth (Gesellschaft der Freunde von Bayreuth e. V.).

A co-production with:

• Oper Dortmund

Supported within the framework of:

• Fonds Neues Musiktheater
• NRW KULTURsekretariat
• Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia